Military

DATE=10/21/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=TURKEY/ATTACKS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-282082

BYLINE=AMBERIN ZAMAN

DATELINE=ANKARA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is visiting Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan to seek support for a campaign to deliver humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. From Ankara, Amberin Zaman reports that during his two-day trip the Turkish diplomat will also discuss fighting between Georgia and its breakaway Abkhazia region.

TEXT: Turkey has acted as an intermediary between Georgia and Abkhazia, its neighbors to the east, and Mr. Cem says Turkey is ready to continue that role. Stability in Georgia is crucial to a planned pipeline that will carry Azerbaijan's vast reserves of oil and natural gas through that country to Turkey and Western markets.

In Turkmenistan, Mr. Cem is to hold talks on recent developments in Afghanistan as well as another planned pipeline to transport Turkmen gas through Turkey and on to Europe.

Analysts say Mr. Cem's visit to Uzbekistan, which shares a common border with Afghanistan is likely to be the most crucial part of his tour.

Both Turkey and Uzbekistan have opened their skies and bases to U-S military aircraft in the ongoing campaign against the Taleban and the Al-Qaida terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden. (SIGNED)

NEB/AZ/DW/RAE